Deacons' radio show takes on tough subjects in First Nations community

EDMONTON – Two Catholic deacons from central Alberta take to the airwaves each week, sharing their faith, strength and hope on a radio talk show broadcast from a small station in Maskwacis, a First Nations community south of Edmonton.

“Nobody ever talks about the good parts of our faith,” said Deacon Leo Farley, who hosts Deacon’s Corner along with Deacon Rollie Comeau. “I think it’s time people got to know who Catholics really are. We live our faith and there’s a lot of Catholics who are faithful.”

The show can be heard on 89.1 Hawk Radio FM within an 80-kilometre radius of Maskwacis, as far as the surrounding communities of Leduc, Red Deer, Camrose and Alder Flats. It airs every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. (MT) and is also online through the station’s website, hawkradio891.com.

Their reach is small, but in a media landscape dominated by anti-Catholic voices, it’s a start, Farley said.

The deacons say a lack of faith and sense of purpose is contributing to widespread depression, anxiety, addiction and even suicide in the community. Last year, Farley said there were an estimated 15 suicides in Maskwacis just within the Christmas season.

“That’s why we want to bring the truth, because people need to hear that there is somebody out there who cares, that God cares,” Farley said. “He’s not some impersonal God and that’s what we’re trying to do, is to bring people back. Our hope is that people will rediscover God in their lives.”

The show is a forum for talking about tough subjects, such as alcohol addiction. Farley has had recovering addicts in the studio to talk about the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program. Farley himself has been sober for 25 years.

Even though they’ve only been on air for a short time, Farley said he’s heard from Maskwacis residents and Our Lady of Seven Sorrows parishioners who have been helped by Deacon’s Corner.

It was this past April when Farley felt in his heart that God was calling him to start a radio show. He asked for a sign and it came came at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, where parish council leaders were discussing how they could get the word out about an event.

“You need to get on the radio,” an elder told Farley.

When Farley approached Hawk Radio with the idea for Deacon’s Corner, station manager Robert Ward immediately gave him a time slot.